Why worry? ∙∙

Why worry? ∙∙

My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! – Luke 10:41

Matthew 6:25-34

25 For this reason, I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink, nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?
26 Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?

27 And who of you, by being worried, can add a single hour to his life?

28 And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil, nor do they spin,
29 yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.

31 Do not worry then, saying, “What will we eat?” or “What will we drink?” or “What will we wear for clothing?”
32 For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

34 So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

The Weight of Worry and How to Overcome It

Worrying is, unfortunately, one of the most human of habits. We all do it, and yet it’s one of the most damaging things we can engage in. Robert Frost once wryly noted, “The reason why worry kills more people than work is that more people worry than work.” It’s a simple truth but one that carries profound meaning. Worry is draining and distracting and often keeps us stuck in a cycle that brings us no closer to solving our problems.

For some people, worrying is simply a bad habit that can be modified with a little effort. For others, however, it may feel like an addiction—an obsession that is much more difficult to overcome. Like many addictions, breaking free often requires intentional strategies, self-reflection, and sometimes even assistance from others.

Worry vs. Vigilance

To be vigilant and cautious is a gift; it’s a survival instinct the Father gave us to protect ourselves and others. But worry? That’s an entirely different beast. When you worry, it’s like being a mouse running feverishly on a treadmill—expending plenty of energy but getting absolutely nowhere. And what’s more exhausting than one mouse stuck on that treadmill? Two mice right alongside each other! (If you’ve never seen the hilarity of mice running on a wheel in endless loops, grab a quick YouTube clip for a little laugh!)

Worry doesn’t move us forward. It keeps us locked in place, looking at our challenges through an exaggerated lens. A Swedish proverb captures it perfectly, “Worry often gives a small thing a big shadow.” The problems that consume our minds often seem much larger than they really are because worry amplifies their size and scope.

What Scripture Says About Worry

The Bible doesn’t mince words when it comes to worry. Worry is not merely discouraged—it’s explicitly prohibited. The Lord Jesus Christ issued a clear and firm command, “So do not worry” (Matthew 6:31). This is not a suggestion; it is a command. And why? Worry indicates a lack of trust and confidence in the Father.

Allowing ourselves to be consumed by worry not only disobeys this command but also signals that we are placing more faith in our fears than in God’s power and promises. When we worry, we’re essentially saying, “I don’t trust that God has this under control.” That’s a heavy statement, isn’t it? But recognizing what the heart of worry really is can help us change our perspective.

REFLECT & PRAY

“Worrying is carrying tomorrow’s load with today’s strength – carrying two days at once. It is moving into tomorrow ahead of time. Worrying doesn’t empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength” (Corrie Ten Boom).

Father, thank You for being trustworthy and for Your deep desire to lovingly care for me. Too often, anxious care and undue concern are my natural, ingrained go-to reactions. Please give me the courage and strength to overcome this tendency, leaning fully on You instead.

INSIGHT

For all of the children of the King, worry is unreasonable (Matthew 6:25-30), uncharacteristic (Matthew 6:30-32), unproductive (Matthew 6:33), and unprofitable (Matthew 6:34) (Arthur Jackson). Why worry?

In Matthew 6:25-34 and Luke 10:41-42, the Greek word translated as worry or anxious is merimnao. Merimnao has the sense of “anxious care,” “being troubled,” “anxious,” or “unduly concerned.” Related Greek words are meris and merizo, which have the sense of “being anxious,” “feeling troubled,” or “unduly concerned.” It comes from the root words meris and merizo, which carry the sense of “dividing or splitting.”

What gets divided? Our very soul—our cognitive and emotional core—is fragmented. When we worry, it creates internal dissonance, leaving us torn and unsettled. Regrettably, many of us are all too familiar with this experience.

In Matthew 6:25-34, Lord Jesus Christ offers us a better way of understanding the compassionate care our heavenly Father provides. Through His simple yet profound words, He opens our minds and understanding. He invites us to trust our heavenly Father, the One who faithfully provides for His children.

Take a moment to reflect on this important truth: if God did not exist, life would seem random and chaotic, dictated by fate or chance, leaving people with no control. As a result, worry and anxiety are the natural responses to the challenges of everyday life, such as poverty, hunger, and the need for shelter and clothing. Without a loving God, we would feel powerless in the face of these concerns. This sense of helplessness can lead to anxiety, driving people to do whatever they can to protect themselves from whatever confronts them.

“Concern is unavoidable, but it is given a new orientation. Liberation from it comes as one casts it upon God, not because God grants every wish, but because prayer grants freedom from care” (TDNT).

But, the children of the King do not live in a godless world. We have a caring, loving Father Who is actively involved. That is why worry is not merely discouraged; it is scorned and forbidden.

A Biblical Remedy for Worry

Philippians 4:6 gives us clear instructions on how to handle anxiety: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”

Paul doesn’t merely say, “Pray about it.” Instead, he outlines a complete framework for “right praying,” which includes three essential elements: prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving. “Right praying” involves all three.

The first word is prayer. Prayer is the general word for making requests known to the Father. It carries the idea of adoration, devotion, and worship. When worry strikes, our first response should be to get alone with God and focus on His greatness. Worship shifts our perspective, reminding us of His power and majesty. We acknowledge that He is big enough to handle anything we face. The first step in “right praying” is adoration.

The second is supplication. Supplication is an earnest sharing of our needs and problems. There is no place for halfhearted, insincere prayer! Supplication doesn’t rely on physical effort but on spiritual intensity (Romans 15:30). Our Father wants us to be fervent and genuine in our asking, laying everything at His feet.

The third is thanksgiving. Gratitude is key. Developing a spirit of thankfulness not only honors God but reshapes our hearts (Ephesians 5:20, Colossians 3:17). The Father enjoys hearing His children say, “Thank You!” (Wiersbe). It’s a powerful declaration of trust in His faithfulness and provision.

Casting Our Care

Concern and responsibility are natural, but in Christ, they take on a new orientation. We are called to cast our cares on God, who promises to sustain us. Liberation from worry doesn’t mean getting every wish granted. Instead, it comes through the freedom found in prayer. By trusting God and surrendering our anxieties to Him, we are released from their grip.

When we stop worrying and start trusting, we allow His peace to guard our hearts and minds. This doesn’t mean all our problems will instantly disappear, but it does mean we won’t face them alone.

Henry Ward Beecher captured this choice eloquently when he said, “Every tomorrow has two handles. We can take hold of it with the handle of anxiety or the handle of faith.”

Which one will you choose?

Take hold of tomorrow with the handle of faith. Trust in the One who holds it all.

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© Dr. H 2025